Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 24 March 1938, page 1


EMBARGO ON

IRON ORE

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Prohibition of

Export

CANBERRA, Wednesday.

The Federal Government will issue a proclamation within the next few days prohibiting the export of iron ore from Australia. As soon as the necessary legal documents can be prepared, the embargo will be brought into operation.

A formal announcement of the decision has been deferred pend-ing consultations with the States concerned, but the Ministry believes that the national issue involved is

so important that nothing that the States may represent will be permitted to vary the decision

reached.

"Probably "the form of the proclamation will enable the Ministry to grant permits for the export of ore. This will give it the machinery to regulate the shipment of supplies should external shipments become necessary, and at the same time it will allow the Commonwealth to maintain the full control of shipments and their destinations.

Comprehensive Survey

Directions have been given for an immediate and detailed survey to be made of the extent of the deposits of iron ore in Australia. The survey, which will take at least two years to complete, will be costly, and will probably involve boring and assays at most deposits. If possible, the work will be carried out in conjunction with the State Departments of Mines.

When the results of the survey are available, the Ministry will decide in the light of precise knowledge whether the unrestricted export of ore can be resumed.

_ Company's Expenditure

PERTH, Tuesday. The opinion that Australia's iron ore supplies were ample for requirements for many years was expressed by Mr. H. E. Vail, managing director of Yampi Sound Mining Co. Ltd., to-day.

Last month, said Mr. Vail, the Federal Ministry had announced that it was unlikely to intervene in the export of Yampi Sound ore. If no occasion for intervention existed a month ago it was difficult to see how anything had arisen since to alarm the Federal Ministry. Had assurances not been given, the huge expenditure already incurred and present commitments of the company

would not have been undertaken. " I